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Pelpina Trip is a woman I’ve been following on LinkedIn for quite some time now. Every time I see her appear in a video, I can’t help but watch it. She’s not only enjoyable to watch but also a true expert when it comes to videos. Or a video geek, as she prefers to call herself. Whether it’s about presenting yourself, new apps, or interesting people, Pelpina knows everything about it and loves to share her knowledge. In today’s article, she provides exclusive tips for Prettybusiness for anyone applying for a job through a video.
Even with a video job application, you naturally want to present yourself as best as possible. But that works differently than when someone is sitting across from you. How do you actually do that?
“It is important to present yourself as naturally as possible. The tricky part about a camera is that it’s not a person; it doesn’t provide feedback. That’s also the reason why it feels so unnatural to stand in front of a camera. You don’t see any reactions and have no direct interaction. Yet, it’s important to be your true self.
To appear as natural as possible, it’s crucial not to use a script. Reading from a script looks very unnatural. It’s fine to write it down for yourself first, but then put it away. It’s better to think in advance about the three most important things you want to convey. Keep these points in mind when you record the video. Ultimately, it’s not about how you edit the video or anything else, but about you. You carry the message.”
But that’s also quite scary: having to convey a message without someone sitting in front of you.
“That’s why it’s good to keep one person in mind during the video who falls within the target audience you’re presenting to. This way, you immediately adjust your words and behavior to that person, and you can see this reflected in the video.
And don’t forget to smile, that’s so important. If you don’t smile, you’ll quickly appear too serious. It’s more enjoyable to watch someone who is having fun with what they’re doing.”
What should you pay attention to when it comes to clothing and makeup?
“First and foremost, ensure that your appearance matches your target audience and their expectations. That’s very important. In terms of clothing, I recommend wearing something that doesn’t distract too much. So, no busy patterns. This can cause people to look at the patterns instead of at you.
I also try to avoid the colors black and white as much as possible. These can make you look very pale or overly dark. Instead, choose a color that suits you well and that you feel comfortable in. Because that’s, of course, the most important thing.
I definitely recommend makeup. A lot of details are lost on camera. With makeup, you can accentuate certain parts of your face and add a bit more color.”
Do you have any tips regarding the technique?
“When you’re going to record a video, audio is the first thing you need to focus on. It might sound strange, but if no one can hear you, you can’t convey your message. Moreover, you can easily adjust the video’s visuals, but the audio is harder to fix. So, make sure you’re not in a room with a lot of noise or an echo.
Additionally, you need to pay close attention to lighting. Where are the light sources in the room where you’re going to record your video? I definitely advise against using a yellow lamp or standing under a lamp. This suddenly makes you look a lot more wrinkled and puffy. Nobody looks better because of that. It’s best to stand by a window. Then you naturally have light falling directly on your face.
And then there’s the position of the camera. A mistake many people make is not placing the camera at the right height. Especially when you use your computer’s webcam, you often see that the camera records from below. Place your computer on a stack of books and ensure that the video is recorded at eye level.
But whatever happens: be yourself. There’s nothing more enjoyable than watching someone who is authentic.”
Want more tips about videos? Check out Pelpina’s website or follow her on LinkedIn.
Best regards,
Aileen